Dodgers' Max Muncy: Out of lineup versus left-hander
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Muncy is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
It's left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the bump for the Phillies, so the left-handed-swinging Muncy will begin the contest on the bench. Muncy has entered mid-game the first two times the Dodgers faced a lefty this series, and he's a good bet to do so again in Game 4. Enrique Hernandez will start at third base Thursday.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Sitting against Luzardo
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Muncy is absent from the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
With the Phillies sending left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the bump, the left-handed-hitting Muncy will begin the contest on the bench. Miguel Rojas will start at third base and bat seventh for the Dodgers. There's a good chance Muncy will enter Game 2 at some point when/if the Phillies turn to a righty.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Available for Game 1
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Muncy (lower body) will be available for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Reds on Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Muncy has been trending in the right direction over the last few days after being held out at the end of the regular season due to lower-body soreness, and Ardaya notes that he'll get a few more swings in Monday evening during a live BP session. Assuming he's able to avoid any kind of last-minute setback, expect Muncy to be in the starting nine for Tuesday's matchup.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Expected back for wild-card round
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Manager Dave Roberts said that he expects Muncy (lower body) to return to the lineup Tuesday for the first game of the Dodgers' wild-card series, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Enrique Hernandez picked up the start at third base for Sunday's regular-season finale in Seattle, but Muncy looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the Dodgers' playoff run after lower-body soreness has kept him from playing since Wednesday. Injuries limited the 35-year-old to 100 games during the regular season, with Muncy slashing .243/.376/.470 with 19 home runs, four steals, 67 RBI and 48 runs across 388 plate appearances.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Idle for Game 162
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Muncy (lower body) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Seattle.
Muncy has been tending to a minor lower-body injury recently, and he'll be absent from the starting nine for a fourth consecutive contest. The expectation remains that Muncy will be available for the start of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday. Enrique Hernandez will draw another start at third base Sunday.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: On bench Saturday
Rotowire
Muncy (lower body) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Seattle.
Muncy's lower-body injury will force him to the bench for the third straight game, though manager Dave Roberts said Friday that the third baseman should be ready for the start of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday. In the meantime, Enrique Hernandez will start at third base and bat eighth against Logan Gilbert and the Mariners.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Nursing injury
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Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Muncy has been dealing with a lower-body injury over the past couple of days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The skipper noted that Muncy's injury has been affecting his swing, which explains why the slugging third baseman is set to miss a second consecutive start Friday. It remains unknown whether he'll make it back to the starting nine before the end of the regular season, but Muncy doesn't seem to be at risk of missing the start of Los Angeles' postseason run.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Not in Friday's lineup
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Muncy is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Mariners on Friday.
The lefty-hitting Muncy is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game, even with the Mariners sending right-hander George Kirby to the mound. That seems to be due in large part to the Dodgers clinching the NL West after Thursday's win against the Diamondbacks, as Muncy will be joined on the bench by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman in Friday's series opener. Enrique Hernandez will start at third base and bat eighth.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Exiting starting nine
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Muncy is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Arizona.
Muncy has played sparingly versus lefties since returning from the injured list earlier this month, though it won't be a traditional lefty starter for the Diamondbacks on Thursday as reliever Jalen Beeks serves as an opener. The left-handed-swinging Muncy could be a candidate to enter mid-game when Arizona turns to righty bulk reliever Nabil Crismatt. Enrique Hernandez is starting at third base and batting eighth for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Goes yard Saturday
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Muncy went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Giants.
Muncy set the Dodgers on the comeback trailing, going yard in the first inning after the Giants established a 4-0 lead to open the game. This was his second homer in his last four games, but the infielder has gone just 3-for-24 (.125) over eight contests since returning from an oblique injury that cost him nearly a month. Muncy has a .248/.382/.482 slash line with 19 homers, 67 RBI, 47 runs scored and four stolen bases over 97 contests this season.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Lifts 18th homer
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Muncy went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Phillies.
Muncy has been scuffling since returning from an oblique injury, going just 2-for-16 with three walks and five strikeouts over five games since he was activated Sept. 8. The infielder has managed to record 18 homers over 94 contests in an injury-riddled campaign. He's added a .251/.386/.481 slash line, 65 RBI, 47 runs scored and four stolen bases through 368 plate appearances, serving as the Dodgers' primary third baseman versus right-handed pitchers when he's healthy.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Idle against southpaw
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Muncy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
The left-handed-hitting Muncy will be held out of the lineup for second time in four games while the Dodgers face off against another left-handed starter (Robbie Ray). Enrique Hernandez will fill in for Muncy at third base and will bat eighth.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Not in Wednesday's lineup
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Muncy is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Muncy has gone 0-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout in his two games since returning from the 10-day injured list Monday. He'll begin Wednesday's game on the bench while Enrique Hernandez starts at the hot corner and bats ninth against Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Set for Monday return
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Muncy (oblique) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Muncy has been on the IL since Aug. 15 due to a right oblique strain and had his recovery program briefly slowed down by an illness, but he looks ready to rejoin the big club after playing three rehab games with Triple-A Oklahoma City from Thursday through Saturday while going 2-for-7 with two walks and a run. Enrique Hernandez and Miguel Rojas have been sharing work at third base of late, but Muncy should step back in as an everyday option at the position once he's activated.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Begins rehab assignment
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Muncy (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Muncy started the game at third base and played five innings before being removed. He also went 1-for-4 with a single. Assuming Muncy avoids a setback, he is expected back during the Dodgers' homestand that begins Monday.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Tracking toward return on homestand
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Muncy (oblique/illness) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City later this week and could return during next week's homestand, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Muncy's return from a right oblique strain has been delayed a bit by a chest cold, but he looks to be close to overcoming that illness and is nearly game-ready. The third baseman has been sidelined since mid-August.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Under the weather
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Muncy (oblique) did not participate in baseball activities and was sent home Friday due to an illness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
It's a slight setback for Muncy, who continues to rehab from a right oblique strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list Aug. 15. He's expected to embark on a rehab assignment next week, and the veteran third baseman is targeting a return from the IL during the Dodgers' weekend road series against the Orioles starting Friday, Sept. 5.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Set to face live pitching
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Muncy (oblique) is expected to face live pitching Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Muncy started to take swings off a tee last week, and he will now progress to facing real pitching. The 35-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 15 due to a right oblique strain, so he's eligible to return to action at any point. Manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Muncy could be activated during the team's upcoming road trip, which begins next Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Takes swings off tee
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Muncy (oblique) has started taking swings off a tee, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Muncy did not feel any soreness in his right oblique while swinging off a tee, as he continues to move in a positive direction with his recovery. It's not clear what the next step is for the third baseman, but he could be ready to take batting practice soon.
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Dodgers' Max Muncy: Showing improvement with oblique
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Muncy's (oblique) condition is improving, and the 34-year-old is scheduled to take part in some "rotational" work Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Though Muncy's oblique strain is of the mild variety, the Dodgers are still expecting him to miss more than the minimum 10 days after he landed on the injured list Friday. Muncy is still in the early stages of his recovery program, so a clearer timeline for his return from the IL is unlikely to become available until he's able to take part in full baseball activities. While Muncy has been out of action for the Dodgers' last four games, Alex Freeland has made three starts at third base and Buddy Kennedy has made one start.
